Dual-action rotational and linear actuating mechanism

Abstract

The present invention provides a dual action linear-rotational resectoscope comprising: (a) a resection loop and loop shaft which are raised to high electrical tension for either resection or cauterisation; (b) an endoscope tube electrically insulated from the loop shaft; (c) an insulating sheath comprising an inner and outer sheath between which fluid is free to flow, surrounding both the loop shaft and the endoscope tube; (d) a handle by which an operator controls both linear and rotational motion of the resector-loop such that the operator performs a resection by using either rotational motion of the resector-loop, linear motion of the resector-loop or any combination of the two; and, (e) a dual-action actuating mechanism useful for manoeuvring the resector-loop adjacent to a body portion to be treated in a sequence of rotational and linear maneuvers; the maneuvers are selected from a group consisting of linear motion followed by rotational motion, rotational motion followed by linear motion, only rotational motion and only linear motion; comprising a unified actuating module in communication with the effecter.

1 . A dual-action actuating system, interconnecting an effecter with a single actuating mechanism activating said effecter in a sequence of rotational and linear maneuvers, said maneuvers are selected from a group consisting of linear motion followed by rotational motion, rotational motion followed by linear motion, only rotational motion and only linear motion. 
   
   
       2 . A working tool comprising the dual-action system as defined in  claim 1 ; said tool having a main longitudinal axis having a distal end and a proximal end; at least one effecter is located in the distal end, being in a communication with the single actuating mechanism, located at the proximal portion of the tool. 
   
   
       3 . The working tool according to  claim 2 , wherein the single actuating mechanism is accommodated at the proximal end, namely in or near the tool's handle. 
   
   
       4 . A working tool according to  claim 2 , wherein said single actuating mechanism comprises at least one active handle, said handle is located at the vicinity of the proximal end and provides the effecter with both a linear motion and a rotational motion. 
   
   
       5 . A working tool according to  claim 4 , comprising an effecter and single actuating mechanism itself comprising a rotation mechanism selected from rotating screw and fixed bolt, rotating bolt and fixed screw, a spiral track and travelling pin or any other means of producing rotational motion; and a linear motion mechanism selected from a sliding lock plate which pushes the rotational mechanism in a linear direction, a straight track and travelling pin or any other means of providing linear motion, such that an operator uses the active handle to produce both rotational and linear motion of the communicated effecter. 
   
   
       6 . A working tool according to  claim 4 , wherein said linear mechanism is bolted to a springed arm; the extension of the springed arm is impeded by an active handle, by which the operator controls the extent of the linear motion, during the predetermined portion of the full range of the handle; when fully extended, the linear motion springed arm prevents any further movement of the linear movement mechanism and further wherein said rotational motion mechanism is bolted to the active handle such that its movement is controlled directly by the operator over the second portion of the full range of the active handle. 
   
   
       7 . An endoscope having a dual-action actuating mechanism according to  claim 1  useful for manoeuvring at least one effecter located adjacent to a body portion to be treated in a sequence of rotational and linear maneuvers, said maneuvers are selected from a group consisting of linear motion followed by rotational motion, rotational motion followed by linear motion, only rotational motion and only linear motion; said endoscope comprising a unified actuating module in communication with said effecter. 
   
   
       8 . An endoscope comprising the dual-action system as defined in  claim 7 ; said tool having a main longitudinal axis having a distal end and a proximal end; at least one effecter is located in the distal end, being in a communication with the single actuating mechanism, located at the proximal portion of the tool. 
   
   
       9 . The endoscope according to  claim 8 , wherein the single actuating mechanism is accommodated at the proximal end, namely in or near the tool's handle. 
   
   
       10 . An endoscope according to  claim 8 , wherein said single actuating mechanism comprises at least one active handle, said handle is located at the vicinity of the proximal end and provides the effecter with both a linear motion and a rotational motion. 
   
   
       11 . A endoscope according to  claim 10 , comprising an effecter and single actuating mechanism itself comprising a rotation mechanism selected from rotating screw and fixed bolt, rotating bolt and fixed screw, a spiral track and travelling pin or any other means of producing rotational motion; and a linear motion mechanism selected from a sliding lock plate which pushes the rotational mechanism in a linear direction, a straight track and travelling pin or any other means of providing linear motion, such that an operator uses the active handle to produce both rotational and linear motion of the communicated effecter. 
   
   
       12 . A endoscope according to  claim 10 , wherein said linear mechanism is bolted to a springed arm; the extension of the springed arm is impeded by an active handle, by which the operator controls the extent of the linear motion, during the predetermined portion of the full range of the handle; when fully extended, the linear motion springed arm prevents any further movement of the linear movement mechanism and further wherein said rotational motion mechanism is bolted to the active handle such that its movement is controlled directly by the operator over the second portion of the full range of the active handle. 
   
   
       13 . The endoscope according to  claim 7 , wherein said endoscope is selected from resectoscope, laparoscope, cystoscope, arthroscope, lithotriptoscope, cysto-urethroscope, sinoscope, hysteroscope, colonoscope, neproscope, bronchoscope, choledochoscope, sigmoido-scope, arthroscope, utererscope, gastroscope or any other, either rigid or flexible, endoscopic surgical tool. 
   
   
       14 . A dual action linear-rotational resectoscope comprising;
 a. a resection loop and loop shaft which are raised to high electrical tension for either resection or cauterisation;   b. an endoscope tube electrically insulated from the loop shaft;   c. an insulating sheath comprising an inner and outer sheath between which fluid is free to flow, surrounding both the loop shaft and the endoscope tube;   d. a handle by which an operator controls both linear and rotational motion of the resector-loop such that the operator performs a resection by using either rotational motion of the resector-loop, linear motion of the resector-loop or any combination of the two; and   e. a dual-action actuating mechanism useful for manoeuvring said resector-loop adjacent to a body portion to be treated in a sequence of rotational and linear maneuvers; said maneuvers are selected from a group consisting of linear motion followed by rotational motion, rotational motion followed by linear motion, only rotational motion and only linear motion; comprising a unified actuating module in communication with said effecter.   
   
   
       15 . A resectoscope comprising the dual-action system as defined in  claim 14 ; said tool having a main longitudinal axis having a distal end and a proximal end; at least one effecter is located in the distal end, being in a communication with the single actuating mechanism, located at the proximal portion of the tool. 
   
   
       16 . The resectoscope according to  claim 15 , wherein the single actuating mechanism is accommodated at the proximal end, namely in or near the tool's handle. 
   
   
       17 . The resectoscope according to  claim 15 , wherein said single actuating mechanism comprises at least one active handle, said handle is located at the vicinity of the proximal end and provides the effecter with both a linear motion and a rotational motion. 
   
   
       18 . A resectoscope according to  claim 17 , comprising an effecter and single actuating mechanism itself comprising a rotation mechanism selected from rotating screw and fixed bolt, rotating bolt and fixed screw, a spiral track and travelling pin or any other means of producing rotational motion; and a linear motion mechanism selected from a sliding lock plate which pushes the rotational mechanism in a linear direction, a straight track and travelling pin or any other means of providing linear motion, such that an operator uses the active handle to produce both rotational and linear motion of the communicated effecter. 
   
   
       19 . A resectoscope according to  claim 17 , wherein said linear mechanism is bolted to a springed arm; the extension of the springed arm is impeded by an active handle, by which the operator controls the extent of the linear motion, during the predetermined portion of the full range of the handle; when fully extended, the linear motion springed arm prevents any further movement of the linear movement mechanism and further wherein said rotational motion mechanism is bolted to the active handle such that its movement is controlled directly by the operator over the second portion of the full range of the active handle. 
   
   
       20 . The resectoscope according to  claim 17 , wherein the electrical tension of the resector-loop is determined by the user such that a high tension is applied for resection and a lower tension is applied for cauterisation. 
   
   
       21 . The resectoscope according to  claim 20  wherein the rotational and linear mechanical phases are independent from the coagulation and resection electrical phases such that the cauterisation phase can be simultaneous with either any part of the rotational, any part of the linear phases or both and the resection phase can be simultaneous with either any part of the rotational, any part of the linear phases or both. 
   
   
       22 . A method of actuating a dual-action endoscope comprising; providing at least one effecter located adjacent to a body portion to be treated in a sequence of rotational and linear maneuvers; said maneuvers are selected from a group consisting of linear motion followed by rotational motion, rotational motion followed by linear motion, only rotational motion and only linear motion; and, communicating said effecter with a single actuating mechanism. 
   
   
       23 . A method of actuating a dual-action linear-rotational resectoscope comprising;
 a. obtaining a resection loop and loop shaft which are raised to high electrical tension for either resection or cauterisation;   b. obtaining an endoscope tube electrically insulated from the loop shaft;   c. obtaining an insulating sheath comprising an inner and outer sheath surrounding both the loop shaft and the endoscope tube;   d. allowing fluid to flow between said inner and outer sheathes;   e. controlling both linear and rotational motion of the resector-loop by means of a handle;   f. performing a plurality of resections by using either rotational motion of the resector-loop, linear motion of the resector-loop or any combination of the two; and   g. manoeuvring said resector-loop adjacent to a body portion to be treated in a sequence of rotational and linear maneuvers comprising a unified actuating module in communication with said effecter.